TITLE: POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER (Wallrath and Drack Laboratories)

Join a team of scientists investigating the molecular pathogenesis and developing gene therapies for vision disorders. The Wallrath and Drack Laboratories in the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences in the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, respectively, are seeking to hire postdoctoral researchers to determine molecular mechanisms and develop therapies for genetic eye disorders. The candidates will be responsible for the designing experiments, generating data, data analysis, presenting research findings at scientific meetings, writing manuscripts, and assisting in the daily operations of the laboratory. The postdoctoral researchers will also be highly encouraged to seek extramural and/or intramural funding to support their innovative research endeavors.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain mammalian cell cultures in a sterile BSL-2 environment, adhering to safety protocols


• Generate reporter gene constructs and use in RNAi knock-down experiments


• Design guide RNAs and use CRISPR for gene editing


• Design AAV vectors for gene therapy on mouse models


• Capture fluorescent images and quantify data


• Purify proteins and perform western analyses


• Maintain a mouse colony and establish genetic crosses


• Maintain detailed experimental records


• Use standard laboratory software that includes Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, GraphPad Prism, SnapGene or other DNA sequence analysis programs, etc.


• Supervise and train junior lab members in laboratory procedures


• Stay updated on relevant research through literature searches and field developments


• Prepare research materials for publications and presentations (internal and external) and present findings at scientific meetings


• Collaborate with a team of researchers at the University of Iowa, across the United States, and internationally

Ph.D. in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, or related discipline.

Prior postdoctoral experience is not necessary.

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills


• Experience in maintaining and working with mammalian culture


• Demonstrated proficiency in microscopy techniques and data analysis


• Background and experience in molecular biology


• Experience in mouse or other small rodent handling